Book Review: "The Radium Girls" by Kate Moore

Subtitle: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women.

Discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898, radium was still a new element early in the last century. Although the Curies knew it was dangerous, having suffered many burns themselves, it was found to cure tumors, and was soon touted by some as a cure for cancer as well as many other maladies. It was claimed to be healthful, and wealthy people drank a mixture of it to promote good health.

Before my daughter started telling me about this book, I had never heard of the dial-painters of the 1920s. The Radium Luminous Materials Corporation, among others, hired young girls (some of them only 14 years old) to paint luminous watch dials with radium paint. The dial-painters were paid by the piece, and soon learned to speed their process by pressing the brush into a point with their lips, dipping their brushes in the radium powder/water mixture, painting a number on a dial, and repeating the process. Their employer told them it wouldn't hurt them at all. They wore no protective clothing, and went home with the radium powder glowing on their clothes and on their skin. It was every girl's dream job, and paid well.

As time passed, however, many of the girls began to develop health problems. Most of them had aching teeth and jaws. When teeth were pulled, portions of the jawbone often fell out as well. The holes didn't heal properly where the teeth had been removed. Some of the girls developed peculiar aches and pains in various bones, sometimes the legs, or the feet, or the back, or the hips. Some of them had amputations. They weren't all affected in the exact same way.

With no internet or email for convenient sharing of information, doctors and dentist 80 miles apart didn't know they were treating girls for similar problems. Various diagnoses were given, but cures were not forthcoming. Often there was no relief to be had, and many of the girls died painful deaths at a very young age.

In those days, only nine conditions were considered for workers' compensation, and there was a 5-month statute of limitations. Many girls did not develop symptoms for a year or more, and some were no longer working for the company. There were many years of lawsuits, company denials, treachery, and deceit before radium poisoning was identified as a real condition, and a handful of girls finally won in court. The main plaintiff in the case had wasted away to less than 60 pounds and could barely cope with the court appearances. She died three weeks after her victory.

There is so much more in this book! You really need to read it in order to fully understand the horrors suffered by these girls and young women. It is a gripping tale. Prepare to be repeatedly annoyed.